Four laps. Fifteen minutes. That’s Bob Derry’s goal at Function Junction, the fitness center at Gordon Behrents Senior Center, a program of Thrive Community Services (formerly KCCDD).
Bob is gaining strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility with the help of a new recumbent bicycle the center purchased last year through The Turnout, Galesburg Community Foundation’s annual competitive grant cycle. As he pedals, he keeps his focus on the bicycle’s monitor, which shows an avatar taking laps around a track. His goal is to make four laps in 15 minutes.
Bob comes to the center, which provides adult day services, four days each week. Bob has diabetes and sciatic nerve issues. Function Junction helps him keep his weight down and health issues in check so that he can remain living independently at home and active in the community. “You have to stay busy,” says Bob. “If you don’t, you’re going to go down hill fast.”
The new bike has a swivel seat, so even clients in wheelchairs can participate. “This enhances access for participants with limited mobility,” says Jackie Jennings RN, Director of Adult Day and Health Services at the center. “By allowing for participants to actively engage in safe exercise with trained professionals, we can help enhance our clients’ quality of life while helping them maintain their dignity and independence.”
Gordon Behrents Senior Center was one of the local nonprofits supported by a Galesburg Community Foundation Turnout Grant in the last year. The grants are funded from the Foundation’s Community Impact Fund, which is comprised of unrestricted gifts from generous community donors, and from individuals who hold Donor Advised Funds at the Community Foundation.
In total, 37 local nonprofits received full funding for projects they undertook over the last year:
- B.Y.E. Ambulance Service – For a new cardiac monitor/defibrillator
- Best Buddies International – Developed opportunities for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to meet and grow new friendships
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Knox County – For their youth mentoring program in Knox County
- Bishop Hill Heritage Association – Hosted a professional acting troupe from Gothenberg, Sweden
- Court Appointed Special Advocates of West Central Illinois – For their program, which advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court system
- Choral Dynamics of Galesburg – Supported production costs for two performances
- Discovery Depot Children’s Museum – Supported a free, weekly, developmentally based program for children ages 3 months to 3 years and their caregivers
- Family Planning Service of Western Illinois, Inc. – Provided low-to-no-cost, confidential sexual health care and education
- Galesburg Heritage Days – Supported entertainment costs for the annual living history event
- Galesburg Community Art Center – Supported ARTReach activities for individuals of all ages and abilities
- Galesburg Community Chorus – Supported general operations to increase outreach and engage a younger, more diverse audience and artist base
- Galesburg Youth Athletic Club – Supported programming for at-risk youth of Knox county through their Olympic-style boxing program
- Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois – Supported the Girl Scout Leadership Program in Knox and Warren Counties
- Habitat for Humanity of Knox County – Upgraded outdated technology
- Historic Ellisville Restoration Organization – Supported the Spoon River Rascals 20th anniversary show season
- KCCDD – Gordon Behrents Senior Center – Funded equipment for the center’s fitness program
- Knox County Child Advocacy Center – Supported the cost of supplies used to assist with counseling for children and their caregivers
- Knox-Galesburg Symphony – Supported the visiting artist residency series
- Knox Jazz Year – Supported educational outreach initiatives
- Lutheran Social Services of Illinois – Provided basic needs items to children and families they serve from their Galesburg office
- Monmouth Early Learning Center – Supported programs and services in education and recreation for preschoolers
- National Stearman Fly-In – Purchased audio-visual equipment in the new 500+ seating capacity International Stearman Community Center hangar
- Nova Singers – Supported their ’22-’23 season
- Prairie Players Civic Theatre – For a week-long theatre residency program that culminates in two public performances
- Prairie State Legal Services – Supported free legal services to low-income people, people age 60 or over, victims of domestic violence, and veterans
- Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center – Supported therapeutic horseback riding and un-mounted horsemanship opportunities for children and adults with special needs
- River Bend Food Bank – Purchased cooler and freezer equipment at the Galesburg location
- Henderson, Knox, Mercer, and Warren Regional Office of Education #33 – Helped students who struggle in a regular school environment receive training and certifications to improve job opportunities
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois – Provided a supportive place for families from Knox and Warren counties to stay while their child is receiving medical care
- Roseville Kids Place – Supported their year-round infant/toddler program, year-round preschool program, before and after school-age program, and summer school-age program
- Special Olympics Illinois – Provided year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities
- Strom Center – Supported direct client assistance for seniors (age 60+) and disabled adults (age 18+) in Warren and Henderson counties
- The Orpheum Theatre – Expanded the Youth Entertainment Series for students in grades K-8
- Triumph Services, Inc. – Supported Camp Kidz, a summer day camp for individuals in Knox, Warren, and Henderson Counties with developmental disabilities
- Warren Achievement Center – Increased community integration for individuals with developmental disabilities
- Warren County Historical Society – Supported the Great Nicola Magic Festival (aka Magic Fest)
- United Way of Greater Warren County – Supported strategic planning and equipment for the nonprofit enrichment center
Turnout grants for 2023-24 will be awarded in July. To learn more about Galesburg Community Foundation’s Impact Fund and how to make a gift, visit yourgcf.org/Impact.
